Since they could remember, basketball has always been a part of the Hodgins household. While some were picking up barbies, Hayley and Delaney Hodgins were playing with basketballs.

Junior guard Hayley Hodgins, who is the oldest of three, describes herself as the most competitive sister and said their passion for the game came from their family. Both of the Hodgins’ parents coached basketball when they were young and their youngest sister, Braydey Hodgins, is a 2016 Boise State University women’s basketball team commit.

“It was never forced on us at all. It’s kind of an outlet. It’s something fun we get to do, and we get paid to do it,” said Hayley Hodgins. “Basketball has brought me so many opportunities throughout the years that a lot of my friends never said they had. It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely paid off.”

Hayley Hodgins averaged 16 points while shooting 42 percent from the field in 33 games for the Eagles last season, according to goeags.com.

They would play two-on-two with their mom and dad in their garage as young girls, but their three-year age difference never made them as competitive as other siblings. However, with only one year of high school basketball together, younger sister freshman forward Delaney Hodgins felt she had to follow in the big footprints Hayley Hodgins had left.

“I knew a lot of people were recruiting her and my dad was hard on her, so I knew that was coming to me next and the standards were raised,” said Delaney Hodgins.

It is safe to say Delaney Hodgins landed in the footsteps with a perfect 10.

Her first year was more than she expected. Despite thinking she was going to redshirt, Delaney Hodgins was named a starter and Big Sky Outstanding Freshmen of the Year.

“It was amazing. I didn’t expect it at all. I just came in like I was going to redshirt, so I had no expectations for the season, but that just capped it off.”

Big sister Hayley Hodgins knew about winning awards herself as a freshman. She also was named the Big Sky Outstanding Freshmen of the Year in the 2012-2013 season.

She said she was proud of her sister to be able to accomplish the award and Hayley Hodgins said it is an honor to see the other coaches in the conference recognize how much Delaney Hodgins has worked this past season.

“It’s kind of crazy because I know the feeling and you don’t expect it at all, and it just puts so much emphasis on the fact that people outside of your school believe in you,” said Hayley Hodgins. “It’s so much on other coaches and they respect you and they see what you’re doing, so it’s a huge honor.”

Both sisters are shooting for perfection off the court as well, which Delaney Hodgins said their father stressed frequently.

Each one was named a Scholar Athlete of the Month back in March and April. Hayley Hodgins, who is currently finishing up her first year in graduate school, holds a 3.8 GPA as she pursues her masters in public health administration. Delaney Hodgins holds a 3.6 GPA in pursuit for her bachelor’s degree in health services administration.

“That’s what our parents taught us. Our dad said if you don’t do good in the classroom, he was going to take away sports, so you kind of have to equal it out and so that has really motivated us to do our homework, get good grades and everything that comes with that,” said Delaney Hodgins.

Being a younger sibling of a skilled high school athlete can be tough in high school but even tougher at the collegiate level.

According to Delaney Hodgins, she did not want people to assume that because her sister was a star on the basketball team, it was an easy transition onto the team and then eventually into the starting lineup.

“I know probably some people think that I played just because she’s one of the better ones on the team, but I feel like I worked into the position because I wasn’t a four normally, I was a guard, so it was really hard to adjust, but I’m just glad I got the opportunity to play.”

Next season Delaney Hodgins said she hopes to step out her shy comfort zone and join her sister in the leadership role.
As the lone senior next season, Hayley Hodgins said she hopes to spread her leadership wings with the incoming freshmen and transfers and “make basketball fun” for her teammates and win the conference tournament to earn a postseason berth.